Splash Event To Raise Funds For Visually Impaired

Tidal waves of fun and laughter are about splash upon fundraising fans in Fort Smith.

The Delta Gamma Fraternity will host its Anchor Splash from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Marvin Altman Fitness Center’s indoor swimming area, 810 Lexington Ave. The free, all-ages event will serve as an entertaining and enlightening gathering to raise awareness and funds for “Service for Sight,” Delta Gamma’s philanthropic focus, said Marie Watterson, vice president of the Delta Gamma Foundation.

“This is the Greek system coming together to support a cause,” she said of Anchor Splash, which raises awareness and funds for visually impaired individuals. “We’re so passionate about our ‘Service for Sight’ campaign.”

Donations will be accepted at the event, which will include synchronized swimming, Watterson said.

“The synchronized swimming is always fun to see, and it’s so hilarious,” she said. “Synchronized swimming will be the biggest part of the event — it’s so funny and great to watch that it is the evening’s entertainment.”

Watterson and other organizers are hoping the event, which will include prizes such as gift cards, will raise more than $500.

“This is important because we’re raising money, but we are also showing the community that visual impairment is a big deal,” she said. “It’s a lot more common than people know.”

Members of other sororities and fraternities, as well as UAFS faculty and staff and community members, are expected to attend, Watterson said.

“We all know that eyesight is something people don’t want to lose,” she said. “People don’t realize how hard it would be to go without seeing, so we want to help visually impaired people. We want to raise money for their surgeries and programs.”

Delta Gamma has funded genetic research, low-vision adaptive devices, tapes, Braille books and numerous life-enhancing programs, as well as acted as a sponsor via city service centers for the visually impaired and schools for the blind.

“We’re proud to help people who are visually impaired,” Watterson said. “We like to help anyone who is visually impaired.”

Delta Gamma sorority will host the fundraiser, which raises awareness and money for its “Service for Sight” campaign for the visually impaired. The all-ages event includes synchronized swimming, prizes and other events.